Stair assembly for swimming pool

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a stair assembly for a swimming pool comprising a top stair portion that is adapted to be securely attached to a bottom stair portion by means of a frame that connects the top and bottom stair portions. Weight support means, being a plurality of posts, are incorporated within the stair assembly to reinforce the assembly and provide equal weight distribution. Stair assembly support means, being front and rear tie bars, are securely attached underneath the bottom stair portion. A handrail is mounted on the stair assembly adapted to be attached to a deck of a swimming pool. The top and bottom stair portions are provided with securely-attached skirts. Top stair portion weight support means are securely mounted between the top stair portion and the frame, and the bottom stair portion weight support means are securely mounted between the frame and the front and rear tie bars.

This application is based on provisional application No. 61/390,104 filed on Oct. 5, 2010.

Above-ground pools are a popular addition to many back yards. One of the most common products for these pools are stairs or ladders to get in and out of the pool. Essentially, a solution how to get over the above-ground pool's wall and into out of the pool, which can be between 3 and 5 feet, has been evolving. The ingress and egress method has to be done in a safe and comfortable manner.

There are known A-frame ladders, akin to a step-ladder, and deck ladders. One half of the step-ladder is always inside the pool, while the other half rests on the lawn or the in-pool half is attached to a deck. This solution to entering or exiting the pool is not the safest or most comfortable: it is not comfortable to descend a step-ladder into a pool on your heels; for proper dismount off a step-ladder, you must face backwards as you climb down. A ladder is steep, and a minute lack of attention can engender an accident.

There is known U.S. Pat. No. 6,966,405, to St-Pierre, for one alternative solution: a shell-like or hollow set of steps is submerged into a pool, and one would use them as one would use a set of steps. It is possible to descend into the pool walking forwards, not backwards. However, this invention is flawed in its design: for the product to be profitable, the plastic it is manufactured of will buckle if a weight, as prescribed by the ANSI standard for the minimum supported weight for pool steps, is lowered upon it. Due to the fact that the shell-like construction has no internal support for a user's weight, the side walls will flex outwardly, and the steps will collapse inwardly, causing the person to fall.

The present invention relates to an improvement of the prior art. A shell-like set of steps is submerged into a pool, but rather than the walls of the structure bearing all the weight, much of the weight is supported by columns substantially underneath the center of gravity of the steps. A column is one of the most adept weight-bearing constructions, and the present invention will hold the minimum weight, being 672 lb, as prescribed by ANSI standards.

Another advantage of the present design is that it is manufactured of a material that is heavier than water, thus eliminating the need for ballast, and simplifying installation. For example, most people remove pool steps for winter. Thus, when they open their pools for a season, they will have to install the steps inside the pool. If the pool steps require ballast because they are made of plastic that floats, this may oblige someone to get inside the pool, filled with frigid water, in order to place the ballast. The present invention eliminates this ordeal—a user lowers the steps into the pool, and they sink on their own accord; the only thing to do is to attach the steps to the pool deck or to the other half of the A-Frame. If additional weight is desired it can be hung onto an internal strut at a later date but it is not required to hold down the present design of the steps.

Another advantageous feature of the present design is the fact that water can sweep easily underneath the assembly, thus preventing the growth of algae. Typically, there are water currents inside a pool to facilitate filtration and removal of debris. The disadvantage of many hollow-bodied pool steps is that due to the fact that there is no architectural structure supporting the user's weight, the steps have to distribute the weight as evenly as possible. This is most optimally achieved by having a continuous contact lip between the steps and the floor of the pool. This design flaw creates pockets of standing water along the lip and inside of the pool stairs, permitting algae to grow. In the present invention, due to the fact that much of the weight is bore by columns, it is possible to have recesses between the steps assembly and the pool floor to permit the water to circulate underneath the pool steps.

The present invention also takes up less space during transportation than some of the prior art, since it is composed of several components that can be assembled by the end-user. Thus, it is possible to fit 6 products onto a standard pallet rather than 4, which is common for such products in the industry. Therefore, there is a gain of efficiency in transportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective disassembled front view of bottom stair portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective disassembled front view of bottom stair portion of FIG. 2 showing side walls and a frame.

FIG. 4 is a perspective inverted disassembled rear view of FIG. 3 showing front, and rear tie bars and weight supporting posts.

FIG. 5 is a perspective disassembled rear view of FIG. 4 showing top stair portion and weight supporting posts.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective disassembled front view of FIG. 1 showing handrails and handrail posts.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective bottom view of a frame portion of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a stair assembly 10 for a swimming pool consisting of top stair portion 125 securely connected to a bottom stair portion 40 by means of frame 55, the top part of which interacts with top stair portion 125, the bottom part of which interacts with a weight support means comprising two long posts 85 and two short posts 86 incorporated within a bottom stair portion 40. Top right skirt 17 and top left skirt 18 are permanently attached to right and left sides of top stair portion 125 and bottom right skirts 15 and bottom left skirt 20 are permanently attached to right and left sides of bottom portion 40 by means rivets 19 (see FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 3, right bottom skirt 15 and left bottom skirt 20 comprise wall portion 16, water flow-through apertures 25, recess 26, two frame attachment tabs 30, stair assembly support means, such as front tie-bar attachment tab 36 and rear tie-bar attachment tab 37. Right and left skirt's configuration includes arch elements 38 to provide stiffness and structural rigidity.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, bottom stair portion 40 comprises bottom step 50, top step 51, banister-receiving recesses 47, which are located at the distal ends underneath top step 51. Structural ribs 52 are located underneath both bottom step 50 and top step 51; said ribs 52 provide reinforcement for any weight that may be placed upon the steps. In the preferred embodiment the ribs 52 are oriented in the same direction as the direction of steps 50 and 51. Lower step 50 and upper step 51 are optionally coated with non-skid rubber matting (not shown) for safety.

As seen on FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 8, frame 55 comprises post-receiving portions 60, skirt-receiving slots 65, top stair portion receiving tabs 70, top stair receiving lip 75, bottom stair portion receiving lip 77, and rigidity ribs 80. Said ribs 80 serve a purpose to stiffen frame 55 and assure that there is no twist or flex. Top stair portion receiving tabs 70 are pre-drilled with holes 76 to receive screws for top stair portion 125.

FIG. 4 shows two weight support long posts 85 and two weight support short posts 86. Those posts 85 and 86 can be made of PVC, ABS plastic, or any other material (cement, metal, etc.). FIG. 4 shows the front tie bar 90 with skirt and bottom stair portion receiving slots 95. Rear tie bar 105 comprises post-receiving portions 110 and skirt-receiving portions 115.

Referring now to FIG. 5, top stair portion 125 comprises lower step 135, upper step 140, water flow-through apertures 25, banister-receiving recesses 130, and holes in sides of skirts 145. Said holes 145 mate with frame 55's holes 76 in top stair portion lip 75. Tabs 70 assure proper fit between top stair portion 125 and frame 55.

Lower step 135 and upper step 140 are optionally coated with non-skid rubber matting (not shown) for safety. Right top skirt 17 and left top skirt 18 are permanently attached to sides of top stair portion 125 by means of rivets similar to those shown on FIG. 3. It should be noted that top stair portion 125 can be used in conjunction with a bottom lip adaptor (not shown) as a stand-alone stair assembly for spas and other shallow water basins, where only two steps are sufficient for safe ingress and egress.

FIG. 1 shows assembly 10 in use with a deck 205 and handrails 155, supported by handrail posts 150. Assembly 10 abuts a pool wall 200, and is attached to deck 205 by deck connector means 165. Handrails 155 are optionally coated with non-skid rubber matting (not shown) for safety. Deck connector 165 comprises handrail attachment portion 170 that is attached by a flexible joint 180 to brace 182, which is connected via flexible joint 195 to deck attachment portion 185. Four holes 190 are disposed on each corner of deck attachment portion 185. Hole 175 on handrail attachment portion 170 mates with hole 160 on handrail post 150.

Deck connectors 165 are attached to handrail posts 150 by attachment portions 170. Screws (not shown) immobilize attachment portions 170 on posts 150 by traversing through attachment portion holes 175 and banister post holes 160. Deck connectors 165 stretch to deck 205, and are immobilized by attaching deck attachment portions 185 to deck 205. Notwithstanding the height difference between the attachment point of attachment portions 170 to posts 150, deck attachment portions 185 will fit any deck due to their ability to flex upwardly or downwardly via flexible joints 180 and 195, which is new feature of the present invention.

Starting with the bottom stair portion 40 (FIG. 2), plugs 23 are inserted into holes 24 in the bottom step 50 and top step 51. Handrail receiving portions 22 are inserted and attached via screws (not shown) in the banister-receiving recesses 47 in the top step 51.

Referring to FIG. 3, left bottom skirt 20 and right bottom skirt 15 are permanently attached to the bottom stair portion with rivets 19 shown on FIG. 3. Frame 55 is attached to skirts 15 and 20 and bottom stair portion 40 using locking tabs 30 as seen on FIG. 3 and slits 65, as seen on FIG. 8.

As seen on FIG. 4, two short weight support posts 86 are inserted into post receiving portions 60 located underneath the bottom step 50. Front tie bar 90, with post receiving portions 110 is inserted over the ends of the posts 86, subsequently engaging tie bar 90's skirt and bottom stair portion receiving slots 95 with front tie-bar attachment tabs 36 found on skirts 15 and 20, as well as bottom step portion 50, thereby locking them in place.

Two long weight support posts 85 are inserted into post receiving portions 60 located on the bottom side of the frame 55. Rear tie bar 105 with post receiving portions 110 is inserted over the ends of posts 86, locking them in place due to the locking of tie bar 105's skirt-receiving portions 115 and attachment tabs 37 found on skirts 15 and 20.

As shown on FIG. 5, two weight support posts 27 are inserted into post receiving portions 60 located on the top side of the frame 55 directly opposite post receiving portion 60 located on the bottom side of the frame 55. Said posts 27 attach into post-receiving portions 60 found on the underside of upper step 140. Top stair portion 125 is subsequently attached to frame 55 with rivets.

Two handrail posts 150 (FIGS. 6 and 7) are inserted into handrail receiving portions 22 on top step 51 of bottom stair portion 40, and two handrail posts 150 are inserted into the top stair portion handrail receiving portion 131 on upper step 140 of top stair portion 125, wherein they are permanently attached inside said receiving portions 22 and 131 with screws. Handrails 155 are permanently attached to the two sets of left and right handrail post 150. Deck attachment means includes deck adaptors 165, handrail attachment portions 170 and deck adaptor brace 182. Handrail attachment portions 170 of deck attachment means are attached to the upper handrail posts 150.

Once pool stairs assembly 10 is complete, user can lower it into a pool (not shown). Considering the fact that assembly 10 is made of a plastic that is less buoyant than water, assembly 10 will sink to the bottom of the pool, where user will abut it to the pool wall 200.

Assembly 10 will be immobilized at the bottom of a pool, resting on front tie bar 90 and rear tie bar 105. About 80% of the weight will be supported by weight support posts 27, 85, and 86. The rest of the weight is borne by either bottom stair portion 40, skirts 15 and 20, or a combination thereof. Water will flow freely through flow-through apertures 25 and recesses 26, thus avoiding growth of algae on assembly 10.

Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the present invention have been satisfied by the structure presented hereinabove. While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best most and preferred embodiments of the present invention have been presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. 

1. A stair assembly for a swimming pool comprising: a top stair portion, said top stair portion is adapted to be securely attached to a bottom stair portion by means of a frame connecting said top and said bottom stair portions; a weight support means incorporated within said stair assembly, said weight support means being adapted to facilitate reinforcement of said assembly and to provide equal weight distribution when in use; a stair assembly support means, said stair support means are securely attached underneath said bottom stair portion, and a handrail means mounted on said stair assembly, said handrail means being adapted to be attached to a deck of said swimming pool.
 2. A stair assembly according to claim 1, wherein said top stair portion and said bottom stair portion are provided with top skirts and bottom skirts, said top and bottom skirts are adapted to be securely attached to said top stair portion and said bottom stair portion respectively.
 3. A stair assembly according to claim 2 wherein said stair assembly support means comprises a front tie bar and a rear tie bar.
 4. A stair assembly according to claim 3, wherein said weight support means are a top stair portion weight support means and a bottom stair portion weight support means.
 5. A stair assembly according to claim 4, wherein said top stair portion weight support means are securely mounted between said top stair portion and said frame, and wherein said bottom stair portion weight support means are securely mounted between said frame and said front tie bar and said rear tie bar, and wherein said bottom stair portion is further provided with a number of ribs formed underneath steps of said bottom stair portion, said ribs are provided to reinforce any weight placed upon said bottom stair portion.
 6. A stair assembly according to claim 5, wherein said top stair portion weight support means and said bottom stair portion weight support means are a number of posts.
 7. A stair assembly according to claim 4, wherein lower edges of said top stair portion skirts are securely attached to said frame and wherein lower edges of said bottom stair portion skirts are securely attached to said front and rear tie bars.
 8. A stair assembly according to claim 1, wherein said handrail means comprise a number of handrail posts, said posts are attached to said deck by means of deck connector means.
 9. A stair assembly according to claim 8, wherein said deck connector means comprise a handrail post attachment portion connected to a deck attachment portion by means of two flexible joints that facilitate attachment of said stair assembly to a pool deck.
 10. A stair assembly according to claim 2, wherein said top stair portion skirts and said bottom stair portion skirts are provided with a number of water flow-through apertures, and wherein said bottom skirts are provided with recesses facilitating circulation of water and preventing growth of algae in said swimming pool.
 11. A stair assembly for a swimming pool comprising: a top stair portion, said top stair portion is adapted to be securely attached to a bottom stair portion by means of a frame connecting said top and said bottom stair portions; a weight support means incorporated within said stair assembly, said weight support means being adapted to facilitate reinforcement of said assembly and to provide equal weight distribution when in use; a stair assembly support means, said stair support means being securely attached underneath said bottom stair portion, and are provided to facilitate a secure support of the entire stair assembly, and a handrail means mounted on said stair assembly, said handrail means being adapted to be attached to a deck of said swimming pool, wherein said top stair portion and said bottom stair portion are provided with top skirts and bottom skirts, said top and bottom skirts are adapted to be securely attached to said top stair portion and said bottom stair portion respectively.
 12. A stair assembly according to claim 11, wherein said stair assembly support means comprises a front tie bar and a rear tie bar.
 13. A stair assembly according to claim 12, wherein said weight support means are a top stair portion weight support means and a bottom stair portion weight support means.
 14. A stair assembly according to claim 13, wherein said top stair portion weight support means are securely mounted between said top stair portion and said frame, and wherein said bottom stair portion weight support means are securely mounted between said frame and said front tie bar and said rear tie bar, and wherein said bottom stair portion is further provided with a number of ribs formed underneath steps of said bottom stair portion, said ribs are provided to reinforce any weight placed upon said bottom stair portion.
 15. A stair assembly according to claim 14, wherein said top stair portion weight support means and said bottom stair portion weight support means are a number of posts.
 16. A stair assembly according to claim 13, wherein lower edges of said top stair portion skirts are securely attached to said frame and wherein lower edges of said bottom stair portion skirts are securely attached to said front and rear tie bars.
 17. A stair assembly according to claim 11, wherein said handrail means comprise a number of handrail posts, said posts are attached to said deck by means of deck connector means.
 18. A stair assembly according to claim 17, wherein said deck connector means comprise a handrail post attachment portion connected to a deck attachment portion by means of two flexible joints that facilitate attachment of said stair assembly to a pool deck.
 19. A stair assembly according to claim 11, wherein said top stair portion skirts and said bottom stair portion skirts are provided with a number of water flow-through apertures, and wherein said bottom skirts are provided with recesses facilitating circulation of water, and preventing growth of algae in said swimming pool.
 20. A stair assembly according to claim 18, wherein said deck attachment means are adapted to fit any deck due to their ability to flex upwardly and downwardly via said two flexible joints. 